Rachael Yamagata

Tuesday, March 31

Remember Duncan Sheik? I didnt think I wanted to, given that he recorded Barely Breathing, one of the worst/most popular singles of the late 90s. Then came Spring Awakening, the Broadway sensation that earned Sheik Grammy and Tony Awards for his orchestral skills, not to mention a coveted slot authoring The New York Times Sunday Playlist on January 25. Here, he extolled the virtues of one Rachael Yamagata, a gorgeous, husky-voiced singer of a genre that can now simply be referred to as Greys Anatomy Soundtrack. Of Yamagatas latest release, Elephants ... Teeth Sinking Into Heart, Sheik said: You know for a fact that there was not a single A&R or P.R. or marketing person that was in the process remotely, because theres not a single up-tempo song on the whole album. Theyre all completely self-indulgent, in the best possible sense of the word, indulging in the beauty of the sadness. Weve had Yamagatas album in steady rotation for months now, and share Sheiks sentiments word for word. Obviously, we still remember Duncan Sheik, and for good reason.